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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Biosimilars: Still Waiting for Promise to Materialize

Larry Beresford  |  

During the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, advances in biosimilar treatments were abuzz. However, many speakers noted that the presence of biosimilars on the market has not yet resulted in greater access to treatment and lower drug pricing in the U.S…

Hip Fractures Increasing in Older U.S. Women

Cheryl Platzman Weinstock  |  

(Reuters Health)—The incidence of hip fractures in older women in the U.S. is rising after more than a decade of decline, according to a large new study of Medicare recipients. Hip fracture rates declined each year from 2002–2012, the researchers found. But starting in 2013, hip fracture rates leveled off and were higher than expected….

Skin Exam Advised Before Anti-TNF-Alpha Therapy

Rita Buckley  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Using tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors for atypical dermatoses may unmask, or perhaps even worsen, cutaneous lymphoma, according to new research. “Our findings suggest that careful skin examination might be required in all patients prescribed anti-TNF-alpha agents, especially those with atypical presentations of benign skin conditions,” says Dr. Joan Guitart of…

Rheumatoid Arthritis May Confer Higher Cardiac & Infection Risks

Lorraine L. Janeczko  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of serious infections, myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD), an analysis of Medicare claims data suggests. “Higher disease activity as measured by a panel of biomarkers was associated with higher rates of hospitalized infections, MI and CHD events. These findings add…

U.S. Uninsured Rate Up by Most in Nearly a Decade

Yasmeen Abutaleb  |  

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—The number of Americans without health insurance rose by 3.2 million people between 2016 and 2017, or 1.3% points to 12.2%, according to a Gallup poll released on Tuesday, the biggest jump in the uninsured rate in nearly a decade.1 Several factors likely contributed to the jump, Gallup said, including attempts by Republicans, who…

Physical Assessment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: It Just May Work

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A recent U.K. study assessed the use of the Perrin technique to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome based on five physical signs of disease. Overall, researchers found the accuracy of diagnosis by allied health professionals was highest when using tests for only two signs: tender coelic plexus and postural/mechanical disturbances of the thoracic spine…

Health Secretary Nominee Indicates Support for Medicaid Overhaul

Yasmeen Abutaleb  |  

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Alex Azar, a former drug industry executive and lobbyist nominated to run the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, indicated on Tuesday he supported a Republican bid to overhaul Medicaid and again vowed to tackle high drug prices. Azar appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, which will ultimately decide whether to…

Obesity Linked with Disability After Joint Surgery

Shereen Lehman  |  

(Reuters Health)—People who undergo joint surgery, such as joint replacements for arthritis, are more likely to become dependent in the years following surgery if they are obese, researchers say. Further research is needed to know why this happens and how to prevent it, the study team writes in British Journal of Anaesthesia.1 “I think there’s…